THE QUEER EAST- STRUGGLE FOR SELF-ACCEPTANCE.

In a world where individuals are overwhelmed with identity, acceptance, and struggle to be themselves, who often face rejection, comes a boy named Chezziel, who happened to have issues coming to terms with his sexuality. He is a young boy who faced a difficult journey of self-acceptance, especially from his father and the society at large. Chezziel, born into a wealthy family, is expected by his father to uphold his name and fortune as the heir to the family, but will Chezziel's situation allow that??? Let's find out.

To Chezziel's mother, he is just a child and should be treated as one, but to Lammore (his father), he is a disappointment. As Chezziel continued to show his sexual difference by what he finds appealing as a male child, whispers grew louder. By the time Chezziel reached adulthood, the weight of his father's rejection became unbearable, and he decided to move out in search of a new life. His destination was Lagos, a city that is louder and unapologetically broad. To him, it seems that's the only place he won't be rejected or judged, but Chezziel never knew that the journey to Lagos would be a new turning point for him. He was kidnapped alongside other fellow Nigerians and held in captivity for what felt like forever. He made friends and made decisions that would forever change his life and the lives of others he met. Before he set out on his journey, he changed his name to Quillion Dahlia —a name that sounded and felt like freedom, one that was part of his freedom from what he experienced on his way. Lagos was his stepping stone to freedom because, through it, he obtained asylum, which led him to France for a better life.

Chezziel's story remains relevant as many people face discrimination because of their identity. This story isn't just about queerness in Nigeria but about survival in the face of rejection and finding solace in the darkest places.